Vice President Hamid Ansari, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Defence Minister AK Antony were among those who paid floral tributes to the former Prime Minister.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi along with her son and MP Rahul Gandhi, daughter Priyanka, her husband Robert Vadra and their two children were among the first to reach 'Vir Bhumi', the departed leader's memorial, to pay tributes.

A cultural programme was staged in Gandhi's memory which included rendering of patriotic songs followed by a classical dance recital.

Youth Congress workers present on the occasion shouted slogans in memory of the former Prime Minister.

Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and a host of Congress leaders, including Margaret Alva and DPCC Chief Rambabu Sharma, also paid their respects.